Breaking Free from Self-Sabotage

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Listen to this week’s podcast episode, Ep.189: Self-Sabotage, Human Nature, and Leadership: Lessons from the Entertainment Industry, with Albert Bramante, using the player below, or click here.

I’ll write this heading later…

Have you ever caught yourself putting something off until the last minute, or obsessing over making something “perfect” before letting anyone else see it? If so, you’ve experienced self-sabotage in action. Procrastination, perfectionism, people-pleasing, these behaviors creep in quietly, often disguised as harmless habits. Yet they can hold leaders, entrepreneurs, and creatives back from their true potential.

In this week’s conversation on Leading with Integrity, I’m joined by Albert Bramante, a talent agent with over 20 years in the entertainment industry, a Ph.D. in psychology, and certified hypnotist & NLP practitioner. That’s quite the résumé!

Albert works with actors to overcome mindset barriers like self-sabotage, imposter syndrome, and fear of success. And as we quickly discovered, the lessons he’s learned coaching performers apply just as much to leaders, founders, and managers.

Understanding Self-Sabotage

Albert described self-sabotage as being your own worst enemy, whether that’s failing to prepare, not following through, or setting impossibly high standards that stop you from acting at all.

Two of the most common culprits?

• Procrastination: Putting off important tasks, often not from laziness but as a subconscious reaction to fear or even past trauma.

• Perfectionism: Holding out for flawless results, which usually leads to inaction and frustration.

The real danger is subtle, when leaders fall prey to these behaviors, they don’t just hold themselves back - they inadvertently pass these habits on to their teams. If you insist on perfection in every deliverable, for example, your people will stop taking risks and start second-guessing themselves.

The result? A culture of hesitation rather than one of growth. And let’s be honest, perfection is unattainable, so most likely nothing will ever get done either.

Taking Imperfect Action

One of Albert’s strongest messages is that action beats perfection every time. He shared his own story of writing his first book, how he would sit for hours, writing and deleting the same paragraph, staring at a blank page, until he finally gave himself permission to produce something imperfect. That decision broke the cycle, leading not only to a finished book but to a second and third in the works.

His mantra: failure is feedback.

Every misstep provides valuable data you can use to improve next time.

Leaders who model this mindset give their teams permission to experiment, learn, and grow, without the crippling fear of getting it wrong.

Delegation, Clarity, and Trust

From his experience running businesses as well as coaching performers, Albert stressed the difference between being a business owner and a business operator. Too many leaders get stuck in operator mode, doing everything themselves, because they don’t trust others or haven’t set up proper systems.

Effective delegation requires:

• Clarity: Spell out what success looks like. Never assume your team “just knows.”

• Systems: Provide tools, resources, and accountability structures.

• Trust: Let go of control and allow others to succeed (and fail) in their own way.

And importantly, celebrate wins just as much as you highlight mistakes. People stay in businesses where they feel seen and valued.

Creativity and Resilience from the Entertainment World

As a talent agent, Albert sees how creativity fuels performance but also how fragile it can be if leaders don’t nurture it. Too often, schools and workplaces stifle imagination, when in reality, creativity is problem-solving in disguise. Leaders who encourage hobbies, daydreaming, and new perspectives often spark innovative solutions that rigid processes alone could never generate.

But creativity alone won’t cut it. The entertainment industry also teaches the necessity of grit and perseverance. With more actors out of work than in it, success depends on weathering constant rejection.

Leaders in every field face similar odds: initiatives fail, markets shift, and setbacks are inevitable. Those who push through with resilience ultimately outlast the competition.

The Power of Listening

When asked about his best experience of being led, Albert didn’t talk about grand speeches or bold visions. Instead, he recalled those leaders who simply listened. Leaders who respected his point of view, even if they couldn’t always say yes.

That’s a profound reminder for us all. Leadership is less about delivering perfect answers and more about creating space for others to be heard. Listening builds trust, and trust builds loyalty.

Boundaries, Balance, and Integrity

Another theme Albert stressed is the courage to say no.

Whether it’s declining unrealistic requests, setting clear boundaries around work hours, or refusing to be available 24/7, integrity requires knowing your limits and holding them. Leaders who respect their own boundaries not only protect their well-being but also model healthier habits for their teams.

It’s not about apologizing, it’s about being transparent and firm, while still respectful. After all, “someday” is a myth. If something matters, put it in the calendar, make it real, and hold yourself accountable.

Universal Lessons

What struck me most in this conversation is how universal these lessons are. Whether you’re an aspiring actor, a first-time entrepreneur, new manager, or a senior executive, the same traps and truths apply:

• Don’t let procrastination and perfectionism paralyze you.

• Take action, however imperfect.

• Build systems and delegate with clarity.

• Nurture creativity and resilience.

• Listen deeply.

• Set boundaries with confidence.

As Albert puts it, leadership is about honesty, transparency, and following through on your word. If you can embody those qualities, even imperfectly, you’re already leading with integrity.

That’s a wrap…?

Self-sabotage is part of human nature, but it doesn’t have to define your leadership. The entertainment industry reminds us that performance, whether on stage or in business, demands courage, resilience, and above all, integrity.

So ask yourself today: where might I be getting in my own way?

And more importantly, what small, imperfect action could I take to move forward right now?

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To hear my whole conversation with Albert, here’s that link again: https://smartlink.ausha.co/leading-with-integrity/ep-189-self-sabotage-human-nature-and-leadership-lessons-from-the-entertainment-industry-with-albert-bramante

Or watch it on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/2Lq8aXCXTFk

Next week, I’ll be talking leadership and business success with Sarah Yandell.

Until next time, Be a Leader, Not a Boss!

- David

In case you don’t know me that well, I’m David Hatch and I’m here to help new managers and first-time founders with their leadership skills, so they can become leaders not bosses, lead with integrity, and build happier, higher performing teams, more effective organisations, and, ultimately: successful businesses.

Be more Janeway. Become the leader you wish you’d had, and come join my online leadership community. If you have a healthy love of sci-fi and want to learn more about leadership, then this is the community for you. Solopreneurs also welcome. 😉

Here’s the link: Integrity Leaders: Community membership and learning, for new leaders or first-time founders.